Democrats Panic as Even CNN Warns 2026 Could Be Too Late [WATCH]

CNN Senior Political Analyst Nia-Malika Henderson raised concerns Wednesday about the Democratic Party’s ability to counter President Donald Trump’s sweeping policy changes, questioning whether their efforts to win back the House in 2026 would even matter given the pace at which Trump is restructuring federal agencies.

During an appearance on Inside Politics, guest-hosted by Manu Raju, Henderson pointed to the declining popularity of the Democratic Party and the significant actions already taken by the Trump administration, particularly in dismantling bureaucratic structures.

Henderson addressed the internal conflict within the Democratic Party, noting that Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) has come under fire from left-wing media figures and members of his own party for his decision to break a filibuster on a GOP-backed spending bill.

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Rep. Glenn Ivey (D-MD) called for Schumer’s replacement as leader of the Senate Democrats on Tuesday, further exposing divisions within the party.

Against this backdrop, Henderson questioned how Democrats could successfully counter Trump’s agenda.

“I mean, that’s the thing. How do you fight Donald Trump and win? How do you put a roadblock up to what he’s doing? Is waiting really the right strategy, right?” Henderson asked.

She also highlighted the Democratic Party’s faltering image, citing polling data that reflects declining public support.

“And you — you hit on this, I think, on one of your shows. You look at the Democratic brand, right? It’s taken such a hit. If you look at the numbers, what is it, like 29 percent or something have a favorable view of the party. And — and that is damaging.”

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Recent polls from NBC and CNN confirm Henderson’s point, showing that fewer than one-third of respondents hold a favorable view of the Democratic Party, while a majority express disapproval.

Henderson went further, suggesting that even if Democrats regain control of the House in 2026, it might be too late to stop Trump’s changes.

“I don’t know that waiting is necessarily the right strategy. And also, so what if they win back the House by a narrow margin in 2026, who cares?” she continued.

“So much is going to be done in — in the interim. The party will be sort of out to lunch. There’s so many agencies dismantled and so much damage done to America’s reputation and possibly the economy that, oh, great, you won the House.”

One of the key factors driving Democratic concerns is the rapid implementation of Trump’s executive order establishing the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) on January 20.

Since its creation, the agency has cut billions in federal spending, identifying an average of $714.29 per taxpayer in savings, according to its website.

DOGE has focused on streamlining government operations, particularly targeting agencies like the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and the Social Security Administration (SSA).

The department’s efforts to reduce bureaucracy have led to multiple legal challenges, with courts issuing mixed rulings.

A federal judge recently blocked a memo instructing agencies to dismiss thousands of probationary workers, while other courts have ruled in favor of DOGE, allowing its cost-cutting measures to proceed.

As Trump’s policies continue to reshape the federal government, Democratic leaders remain divided on how to respond.

Henderson’s comments reflect growing frustration within the party, as they struggle to mount an effective opposition.

With Trump’s administration actively dismantling bureaucratic structures and implementing major budget cuts, Democrats will need to develop a clear strategy if they hope to regain political momentum before 2026.

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